Diploma in Political Science
Course Overview
The Diploma in Political Science is a UK Level 4 practitioner-foundation qualification running 9 to 12 months. It teaches the concepts, methods and applied practice of contemporary political science: the state, institutions, behaviour, comparative politics, international relations essentials and applied research methods. The syllabus is aligned with Political Studies Association benchmarks and draws on the applied practice of the British Election Study, the Hansard Society and Institute for Government-adjacent research.
By graduation you will have produced comparative-politics briefs on paired cases, mapped a national institutional structure, prepared a research design for a chosen political-science question, and defended your reasoning in a seminar under structured questioning. The Diploma articulates directly into the LSLPE Advanced Diploma in Development Politics, Advanced Diploma in International Relations and Higher Diploma routes.
Key Features
- Nine to twelve months of applied political-science study with three intake windows a year.
- Syllabus aligned with Political Studies Association benchmarks and Hansard Society teaching guidance.
- Case material drawn from published British Election Study, Institute for Government and Hansard Society material.
- Named programme tutor with marked briefs returned inside seven days.
- Three parallel study modes: on-campus in central London, online, and distance learning.
- Direct articulation into the LSLPE Advanced Diploma routes in politics and international relations.
What You Will Learn
- The state, sovereignty and institutions in comparative perspective.
- Political behaviour: voting, participation, party membership and mobilisation.
- Comparative politics: system types, electoral rules and party systems.
- International relations essentials for political-science analysis.
- Political-economy essentials linking politics to policy outcomes.
- Applied research methods: survey design, interview method, content analysis.
- Quantitative essentials for political scientists.
- Writing a political-science research design under supervision.
Who This Course Is For
- Working policy officers and campaigners seeking a formal analytical grounding.
- Career changers moving into political analysis or public-interest research.
- Graduates preparing for postgraduate work in politics or international studies.
- International applicants building a UK political-science foundation.
Career Pathways
- Political Analyst
- Political Consultant
- Parliamentary Researcher
- Public Affairs Officer
- Political Communications Officer
- Election Analyst
- International Affairs Officer
The LSLPE careers service links Diploma graduates with entry pipelines into party HQs, Parliamentary offices, elections-focused think tanks and public-affairs firms.
Entry Requirements
- A Level 3 qualification (A-levels, BTEC, Access to HE) or equivalent, or a relevant Certificate at LSLPE.
- GCSE English at grade 4/C and Mathematics at grade 4/C or equivalent.
- IELTS 5.5 overall (no band below 5.5) for non-native English speakers, or equivalent.
- A personal statement outlining your progression aims.
- Applicants with campaigning, policy or research experience are encouraged to reference it at application.
Why Study at LSLPE
The London School of Law, Politics and Economics teaches political science in the heart of Westminster, within a short tube ride of Parliament, Whitehall and the political-science research cluster of central London. Seminars are run in the case-room and select-committee tradition and draw on published UK political-science material as raw data.
Three parallel study modes let progressors, working practitioners and portfolio-route applicants complete the Diploma without leaving employment, and the LSLPE careers service maintains active links with think tanks, party HQs and public-affairs firms.
Apply for Diploma in Political Science
Applications for the Diploma in Political Science are open, with three intakes a year. Step up to a UK Level 4 Diploma at LSLPE, three intake windows a year, admissions responds within one working day. Enrol Now
